System and method for an enhanced gaming device

Abstract

An enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) utilizes a touch panel (40) as a user control device for mechanical assemblies and game play features which provides users with the enhanced flexibility and interactivity of a video gaming device in a mechanical gaming device environment. The enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) includes a gaming machine assembly (20), a touch sensor assembly (30) incorporating a substantially transparent touch panel (40), a touch panel controller (50), and touch panel software (60). The gaming machine assembly is a standard gaming machine assembly that has been modified to utilize touch-panel components. The touch panel (40) and the sensor assembly (30) produce touch data when activated, and provide viewing of mechanical assemblies behind the touch panel (40). The touch panel controller (50) acts to control and interpret the touch panel (40). The touch panel software (60) controls and interprets the touch data, as well as applying the touch data to interactive applications of the gaming machine assembly (20).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 690,289, filed Oct. 16, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to enhanced mechanical gaming systems and, more particularly, to a system and methodology for enhanced mechanical gaming systems which utilize a touch panel as a user control interface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A variety of gaming machines have been known in the art which provide many different types of interactivity and entertainment for users of the machines. In the past, these gaming machines have been primarily mechanical in nature. However, more recently, there have been a growing number of computer generated games and video gaming machines. This development provided the benefit of expanding the number of games available to players for their entertainment. In addition, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an enhanced mechanical gaming system that uses a touch panel as a user control device for mechanical gaming assemblies. The touch panel is incorporated into a gaming machine assembly and includes a sensor assembly, a touch panel controller, and touch panel software. The system allows users to select and activate different game features and control the game play by touching the touch panel. The touch panel is composed of a composite material, such as clear glass or metal, and may include transducers that detect touch using acoustic, infrared, ultrasonic, resistive, capacitive, or other suitable forms. The system also includes a microprocessor and a generic device controller unit to control the reel assembly. The touch panel software controls and interprets the touch data, and can apply it to interactive applications on the touch panel. The system can be modified to use multiple touch panels for selecting denomination or features, or for unobstructed viewing of the mechanical assemblies. The technical effects of the invention include increased flexibility, interactivity, and improved user experience for mechanical gaming machines."

Problems solved by technology

A persistent problem, however, is that there is still a significant portion of the public that has a fear or distrust of computers and computer generated games, such as video gaming machines.

This fact has resulted in limiting, to some extent, the amount of computer implementation that has taken place in the gaming industry with respect to these mechanical gaming devices and, consequently, has limited the play options and interactivity afforded a mechanical gaming device user.

This lack of computer implementation in mechanical gaming devices has resulted in some degree of stagnation with respect to consumer excitement and enthusiasm towards traditional mechanical gaming devices.

As such, mechanical gaming devices (such as reel spinners and slot machines) have not been able to acquire and utilize the benefits of enhanced flexibility and interactivity which are afforded video gaming devices due to the limitations inherently associated with mechanical gaming devices.

These attempts have met with only limited success.

Prior attempts have not been able to increase the flexibility and interactivity of mechanical gaming devices to the level achieved by video gaming devices.

However, those skilled in the art have also wanted to avoid gaming machines with the associated drawbacks which are frequently attributed to a distrust of computers.

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